SULPHUR MINE 


OF CALCASIEU: 


A PAPER READ BEFORE THE 


NEW ORLEANS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 


MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 21st. 1-73: 


v_. 


Bv W. B. KOONTZ 


fj 


Fellow of the Academy and Chairman of the Section on 


MIXING AXI) METALLURGY. 



NEW ORLEANS: 

PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE PICAYUNE. Ht) CAMP STREET. 













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Mr. President and Fellows of the Academy, 

And Ladies and Gentlemen: 


In a former paper read before tlie Academy, on tbe Calcasieu Sulphur 
Mine, I endeavored to give a general description of the country in 'which 
the Sulphur deposit was found, and of such geological formations and pecu¬ 
liarities of the surface as strike the most ordinary observer; to suggest dif¬ 
ferent theories which have been advanced as to the origin of the Sulphur, in 
this locality ; and the process adopted to reach the sulphur stratum by 
shafting, so as to work the mines; concluding with a statement of the proba¬ 
ble quantity of the mineral discovered, and its immense value to our city and 
state, and to commerce generally, if the mines should be successfully opera¬ 
ted. 

I now propose to go more fully into the details of the investigations made ; 
and the results, thus far arrived at; and more definitely to describe the char¬ 
acter and thickness of the strata, which over-lie the sulphur, as ascertained 
and determined by the engineers, Messrs. James Munn and A. Granet, from 
the Artesian borings and excavations, made by them upon the ground. 

If, in carrying out this design, I travel over a road, which, to some extent, 
has been travelled before, I cannot but express the hope, that whatever of 
interest may be lost, for want of a novelty, it will be counterbalanced by pi ac- 
ing before the Academy more exact scientific information as to the true 
geological conditions since developed by actual experiment, at the mines in 
Calcasieu. 

It is hardly necessary to state, that the details, which I propose to present 
for your consideration, are derived chiefly from correspondence and reports 
from the engineers just named; and that I am especially indebted to the 
official reports of Mr. A. Granet, to the President and Board of Directors of 
the Calcasieu Sulphur and Mining Company, for the figures and measurements 
given. 

The oil springs, which originally led to experimental borings for mineral 
oil, and incidentally, to the discovery of the sulphur, lay in a line running 
nearly East and West, and extending over a distance of about three hundred 
yards. 

The first Artesian well, which we will designate, as well No. 1; was loca¬ 
ted at the Eastern extremity of this line; and was bored by Mr. James Munn, 
in 1868, using three sets of pipes, of different dimensions. 

The first having an interior diameter of six inches, went through the strat¬ 
um of blue clay, 160 feet thick; then through another of gray and yellow 
sand, 173 feet thick, and came to a stop, at a third stratum, designated as 
the rock. The auger was then used to penetrate the rock ; went through 
this stratum, about two feet thick; and then through another stratum of 
blue sandy limestone, about forty-eight feet thick. A second pipe, of 4f 
inches inside diameter, was then inserted through the first pipe, from top to 
bottom ; and was continued through the bore-hole made by the auger in the 
rock, and rested on a stratum of white crumbling limestone. 

The auger, at the depth of about 385 feet below the surface, had come upon 
a stream of sulphurous water, containing a certain quantity of hydro-sulphur¬ 
ic acid, and considerable carbonic acid gas, both of which escaped upon 
reaching the surface, and the former of which impregnates the atmosphere, 
for some distance surrounding the mines. In fact, the sulphur mines of Cal¬ 
casieu, like some races of animals, and of mankind, as well, sometimes indi¬ 
cate their presence, through the olfactory nerves, before they are seen. 

This stream of water rushes with some force through a cavity or crevice in 
the rocky formation some three feet in depth; below which the auger could 



2 


not be used, until the water, was shut off from above. Of course, the 4f inch 
pipe could go no further, and the boring was continued with a smaller auger 
inside of this last tube, which went through 60 feet of crystalline limestone, 
when it reached the sulphur at a depth ot 443 feet below the surface.^ dhe 
crystalline limestone, especially at its lower part, not being ot sufficient 
hardness or strength to stand without tubbing, it was found necessary to 
employ a third pipe, which having an inside diameter of 3f inches, and 
inserted through the 4f inch pipe, lined the bore-hole, the whole distance, 
from the surface of the ground to the sulphur bed. 

The auger then penetrated through the sulphur, here found to be 108 feet 
thick, and the gypsum, lying underneath, to the entire depth of 1,230 feet. 

The complete series of strata, traversed by Artesian Well No. 1, as classified 
by Mr. A. Granet, is as follows:— 

(Below 

( Feet Thick ) the Surface.) 

1. Yellow and Blue Clay. 160. 160. 

2. Gray and Yellow Sand... 173. 333. 

3. Rock. 2. 335. 

4. Blue and Sandy Limestone. 48. 383. 

5. White Crumbling Limestone. 60. 443. 

6. Pure Crystalline Sulphur. 108. 551. 

7. Gypsum "containing Sulphur. 99. 650. 

8. Pure Crystalline Sulphur. 6. 656. 

9. Gypsum containing Sulphur. 24. 680. 

10. Pure Crystalline Sulphur. 10. 690. 

11. Gypsum containing large percentage of 

Sulphur. 440. 1130. 

12. Gypsum containing Sulphur. 100. 1230. 

Another Artesian well was bored about the same time on adjacent lands, 
belonging to other parties, which we will designate as well No. 3, better 
known as Dr. Kirkraan’s Well, at a distance of about 2,550 feet, and in a 
direction nearly North-West from the well just described. 

This boring lias been j>rosecuted at intervals, and progressed slowly. It 
reached the depth of about 500 feet below the surface, but has penetrated 
only successive strata of clay and sand, without finding either rock, sulphur, 
or gypsum, and meeting with scarcely a trace of petroleum. 

This well does not yield flowing water, nor gas. It presents the curious 
fact, that the auger, * at some 380 feet below the surface, passed through a 
substance resembling charred wood, or one of the more friable classes of stone 
coal. 

The Artesian well, bored by the Calcasieu Sulphur and Mining Company, un¬ 
der the superintendence of Mr. James Muun, assisted by Mr. A. Granet, Mining 
Engineer, and which we shall designate as well No. 2, was intended to ac 
complish the following purposes:— , 

1st. To discover and ascertain the position and direction of the Sulphur 
stratum. 

2nd. To ascertain the precise nature of the various strata to be traversed, 
n order to be prepared to excavate and establish, under the best attainable 
conditions, a shaft for the extraction of the sulphur. This last well, No. 2, 
is in the line of the springs, or petroleum deposits, 50 yards, or 150 feet west 
of the first boring, and almost on the top of one of the sandy hillocks, or 
elevations, which abound in this locality. 

This well was bored by the use of three series of iron tubes, precisely simi¬ 
lar in size and form to those employed in Well No. 1. The, first series, with 
a diameter of 6 inches, first penetrated a stratum of yellow and blue clay, 165 
feet thick, and then went through a stratum of shifting sand, impregnated 
with water, 179 feet thick. 

The stratum of yellow and blue clay, down to the depth of 16 feet, is inter¬ 
mixed with a small quantity of very fine sand, and may be designated as the 
surface-soil stratum. From 16 to 60 feet, the yellow and blue clay is almost 
pure; in many places completely blackened by no inconsiderable portions of 


























3 


petroleum‘and mineral tar, (the latter being a combination of asphaltum 
and naptha,) and sometimes containing only a trace of these substances. 

From 60 feet to 84 feet, the blue clay preponderates with only a few traces 
of petroleum. 

From 84 feet to 106 feet the clay disappears, almost totally, and is replaced 
by a stratum 22 feet thick, of extremely tine shifting sand, fluid and running, 
but rendered viscous, by a considerable admixture of mineral tar and petro¬ 
leum, and containing a small quantity of water. 

From 106 feet to 120 feet, the blue clay mixed with some sand and contain¬ 
ing some traces of mineral tar and petroleum, reappears ; and then, from 120 
to 125 feet from the surface, it is succeeded by a stratum of shifting sand, 15 
feet thick, combined like the tirst one, with a little clay, and, like it, also, 
strongly impregnated with large quantities of petroleum and mineral tar. 

From 135 to 165 feet, the blue clay reappears, almost pure, and is extreme¬ 
ly hard to a depth of 15 feet; after which, it shows abundant traces of petro¬ 
leum, and contains a great number of small sandy pockets, completely fllled 
with that substance ; lower still, it is mixed with a certain quantity of sand- 
and contains a much larger proportion of petroleum and mineral tar. 

This clay stratum is not water-bearing ; in fact, until the first bed of sand 
was reached, it became necessary to pour water into the well, several times a 
day, to facilitate the action of thejboring instruments. 

Whilst crossing the two beds of shifting sand, and the clay stratum which 
separates them, the water never came up to the orifice of the well. 

Lastly, after going through the sand, the water again disappears from the 
interior of the tubbing, and only reappears in considerable quantity, when 
the great shifting saud, or quick-sand stratum, was about to be reached. 

This stratum in the first boring, was designated as gray and yellow 
sand, but Mr. Granet reports that he only found gray sand. 

From the depth of 165 feet, where the quick-sand stratum commences to 300 
feet, the sand is tolerably homogeneous. It is of a whitish gray color, very fine, 
strongly quartzose, intermingled with grains of felspar, and black and white 
mica. In the whole upper portion of the stratum, for a thickness of about 
135 feet, this latter substance is sometimes pure, with its ordinary color; 
sometimes stained by the presence of small quantities of mineral tar and pe¬ 
troleum ; and sometimes completely impregnated, and blackened, by a con¬ 
siderable admixture of both substances. 

The same upper portion of the stratum, also contains a number of thiu 
layers of pebbles, worn by the action of water ; some of them very small, com¬ 
posed of white and yellow^ quartz ; some larger, black outside, and formed of 
common quartz, calcidony, jasper and silex, ( all of them very hard and 
dense,) scratching glass, and giving out sparks, when struck. A few of these 
pebbles are covered with a light coating of iron pyrites. 

From 300 to 310 feet, the sand without changing its nature, becomes larger 
in grain, and even gravelly; disappearing by degrees in a layer of worn 
gravel and pebbles, of a black color, and ranging in size from a pins head, to 
the size of an egg. This portion of the stratum is completely impregnated 
with mineral tar and petroleum. 

Lastly from 310 feet, to 344 feet, the sand assumes its original color and 
appearance, although often intermingled v r itli thin layers of worn pebbles, as 
above described. 

The stratum of shifting sand—179 feet thick—is thorougly impregnated 
with water. While the boring was in progress through this formation, the 
tube was constantly filled with water, through its entire length; and over¬ 
flowed, at the top, whenever the auger went down ; and then fell a few feet, 
while the rods were being drawn up. But the water came again to the top 
of the well, immediately after the tools were withdrawn. 

After passing through the quicksand stratum, the tube struck a clay strat¬ 
um, about 2£ feet thick, perfectly black, and thoroughly saturated with 
mineral tar and petroleum. Having gone through this clay, the tubbing 
penetrated for about 8 feet, into a calcareous stratum, progressing with diffi¬ 
culty ; and accomplished only by strenuous efforts to force the tube down 
from above, and the yielding resistance of the rock, from want of solidity, or 


4 


its evident state of disintegration. It might be correctly classified as argil¬ 
laceous marl. It is partly calcareous,—effervesces when placed in contact 
with an acid,—and contains a large quantity of fragments of rolled, or water- 
worn calcareous rock. 

Below this argillaceous marl, comes the calcareous stratum, designated in 
in the first Artesian well, as Blue Sandy Limestone. In the centre of this 
stratum is found the great deposit of mineral tar and petroleum, which 
ascends through the upper strata overlying it; and has penetrated and sat¬ 
urated, to a greater or less degree, the argillaceous marl; the great deposit 
of shifting sand ; and the super-incumbent clay stratum. 

It is a grayish blue calcareous substance ; having the appearance of sand¬ 
stone, and yielding under the stroke of the auger a powder, containing 
some sand. It is deeply furrowed everywhere ; and all the fissures are filled 
with petroleum and mineral tar. It is from this locality, that were obtained, 
in boring the first Artesian well, those pear-shaped nodules of bluish gray 
limestone, weighing from 5 to 8 pounds, which are now in the possession of 
the Academy. In both specimens, when found, the seams, or crevices, were 
thoroughly impregnated with petroleum. 

I may here add, that Mr. W. Cromer, of Holland, Mining Engineer, lately in 
charge of the shaft in Calcasieu, to whom these nodules were exhibited ex¬ 
pressed the opinion that the crystallization, marked upon the surface, indi¬ 
cates that they were formed by the percolation of water, holding lime in 
solution;—a sort of moveable stalactite in the cavities of the limestone 
rock, which overlies the sulphur deposit. This rock stratum is feet 
thick; and terminates at a depth of 377 feet, where it rests upon another 
layer of calcareous marl, about 4 feet thick. 

The marl contains a large quantity of rolled, or worn pebbles of limestone, 
but only a few traces of mineral tar and petroleum :—traces evidently due to 
its contact with the superincumbent stratum, which is the real deposit of 
those substances. 

The constant caving of the marls into the bottom of the well compelled 
the engineers to lower, inside the first tube of G inches diameter, another tube 
of 4f inches diameter, which penetrated as far as the bottom of the stratum, 
that is to the depth of 381 feet. From 381 to 386 feet is found a very hard, 
rough, dull gray, calcareous rock, which curtains a few traces of petroleum’ 
probably derived from the upper strata. 

Tt is probable that from this locality, came those fragments of limestone 
rock, some four inches thick, varying in width and length,, from one to five 
feet; found imbedded in the blue clay, on the Western side of the great shaft, 
and lying from 40 to 60 feet, below the surface. None were found on the 
Northern, Eastern, or Southern sides of the shaft, where the clay was softer, 
and contained more sand. As the great shaft is located in the edge, or side, 
of one of the innumerable sandy hillocks or mounds of the Calcasieu prairies’ 
the conclusion is a fair one, that these rocks were thrown up bv some action 
of upheaval from below, and were lodged in the side of the vent, through 
which the explosive force escaped to the surface. The composition 
of these rocks is precisely similar to that of the stratum, found at 385 feet 
below the surface. 

From 386 feet to 428 feet is a white saccharoid, calcareous stratum, 42 feet 
thick. It lies immediately over the Sulphur stratum. It is composed of a very 
pure crystalline, saccharoid calcareous substance; and without changing its 
nature, apears under three different and distinct shapes. 

The first portion, from 386 to 396 feet, consists of white saccharoid calcare¬ 
ous matter, with crevices and fissures in every direction. 

The second part, from 396 to 403 feet, is composed of the same white 
calcareous substance, but is completely disintegrated; and reduced into sand. 

The third section of this calcareous stratum, from 403 to 428 feet is com¬ 
posed of the same white saccharoid substance, as before, but instead of being 
split up into fissures, or disintegrated, like the other sections it is very hard 
and compact. The auger penetrated slowly through this part’ o f the stratum 
winch is about 25 feet th ick, and rests directly over the sulphur, and protects 
it from contact with the sulphurous water lying in the strata above 


These calcareous compounds are very pure, and leave no residue when sub¬ 
jected to the action of acids. 

The two first sections of the stratum contain the great sheet of sulphur¬ 
ous water, which, when reached hy the auger, rushes up through the 
tubbing, overflows at the surface of the ground, and constitutes the two Arte¬ 
sian borings—Wells Xos. 1 and 2—permanently flowing Artesian wells. 

In Well Xo. 2, the greatest flow of water took place, while crossing the 
disintegrated portions of the second section. 

These waters are of remarkable transparency and brilliancy, and are largely 
impregnated with hydro-sulphuric and carbonic acid gas. They have been 
analysed by a well-known chemist of this city, with the following results. 
Specific gravity of the Calcasieu Artesian Sulphur Water.1. 0015 

1000 Grammes contain : 

Carbonate of Lime.qr. 0. 1112 

Sulphate of Lime.qr. 0. 5164 

Chloride of Calcium.qr. 0. 3147 

Chloride of Magnesium.qr. 0. 0765 

Chloride of Sodium.qr. 0. 2831 

Sulphuret of Hydrogen.qr. 0. 0025 

Carbonate of Magnesia. a trace. 

Organic matter. a trace. 

Carbonic Acid Gas. [quantity undetermined]. 

Had the analysis been made from samples taken, as the water flowed from 
the well, the result would, no doubt, have exhibited a much larger propor¬ 
tion of sulphuret of hydrogen, and also of carbonic acid gas ; both of which, 
in a great measure, escaped while handling it, and in the course of transport¬ 
ation. 

This water is unpleasant to the taste, but when used as a bath, it 
produces the most delightful sensations. The effect is exhiliarating in the 
extreme. Once immersed in its spray, the spirits revive;—life seems to 
receive a new impulse; and the bather revels in a sort of joyous excitement, 
which he cannot account for; and whether from the effects of the water 
itself, or intoxicated with the gasses it gives out, invariably leaves the spot 
with reluctance, and returns to it again, with pleasure. 

These waters belong to the class known as thermal waters, having a uni¬ 
form temperature of from 78° to 80° Fahrenheit. 

It is known that the water has been effective in curing several obstinate 
cases of cutaneous disease. 

After passing the fissure, or crevice, through which these waters flow, the 
calcareous sand, brought down by the action of the tools from above, 
was washed into the borehole, and obstructed the progress of the auger. It 
theu became necessary to employ a third tube, lowered down inside the 
second tube of 4f inches diameter. The interior diameter of this third tube 
was 3| inches. Through this tube the auger continued on down to the depth 
of 428 feet, belovc the surface, at which point, it struck the sulphur bed; 
which, in Well Xo. 1, was found at the depth of 443 feet. The sulphur strat¬ 
um was here found to be 112 feet thick, or about four feet thicker than in Well 
Xo. 1. 

The sulphur appears in compact, and amorphous masses, of a pale yellow 
color, intermixed with crystals of the same color, and ofremarkable transpar¬ 
ency. It is accompanied with a whitish crystalline calcareous substance, 
somewhat hard, but which is nevertheless easily reduced to a powder, under 
a stoke of the hammer; and which several tests, seem to indicate, to be carbo¬ 
nate of lime. 

The drill progressed slowly through this stratum—the boring being long 
and difficult—but the fragments drawn up from the bottom have demonstra¬ 
ted in a clear and precise manner, that the entire sulphur stratum is, from 
top to bottom, of unusual richness; and, that if reached by a secure shaft, it 
is very easy to work the mine. 

It has been ascertained by analysis, that the mass at the top of the stratum, 
contains about 62 per centum of sulphur. This percentage increases rapid¬ 
ly, as we descend into the sulphur bed. 












6 


At the depth of 441 feet, it becomes 70 per cent.; at 459 feet, 80 per cent.; at 
466 feet, 83 per cent.: and at a depth of 486 feet it reaches 90 per cent. I may 
remark that A. Griifo, Pharmaceutist, of New Orleans, has also analysed 
these samples, and fixes the percentage of sulphur to the mass, at somewhat 
higher figures, and estimates the percentage of sulphur in the last specimens, 
taken from a depth of 486 feet, as high as i)6 per cent, of sulphur ; and desig¬ 
nates the residium to be almost pure carbonate of lime. 

From 486 feet, the proportion of sulphur in the mass gradually decreases, 
passes in succession, as we descend, from 90 to 80 per cent of sulphur; then 
to 75 per cent.; going up again to 80 per cent.; and finally resting at 68 
per cent, at a depth of 540 feet below the surface, which is the bottom of tho 
stratum. 

From 540 to 552 feet, the calcareous substance changes its color; becomes 
grayish, but still contains a certain quantity of sulphur, estimated at from 30 
to 40 per cent, of the mass. 

At 552 feet, where tho boring of well JS T o. 2, ceased, the sulphur has a tend¬ 
ency to disappear. 

Mr. Granet states that he met no traces of gypsum, and surmises that its 
absence may be attributed to the fact that he did not go deep enough to find 
it— its existence in Well A To. 1, being unquestioned, and where it was found 
to underlie the several sulphur strata, in a formation of extraordinary thick¬ 
ness and extending down beyond 1,230 feet below the surface, to a depth as 
yet unascertained. 

Mr. Granet informs us, “that in Sicily, which produces nearly all the sul- 
“plmr of commerce, there are about200 mines, belonging to various real estate 
“owners, who have absolute control of their property. In that Island, the 
“ sulphur strata lay at a depth of 120 to 150 feet below the surface ; they are 
“ worked by means of galleries on an inclined plane, provided throughout 
“ their whole length with steps, cut into the soil itself, which there is hard 
“ and firm. 

“ The mineral dug out by the workmen, is brought to the surface by chil- 
“ drcn, from 12 to 16 years of age. They take one or two lumps upon their 
“ shoulders, which they carry up with great labor, and deposit at the en- 
“ trance to the mine. This rude method of operating mines, necessarily 
“ produces a small yield, and at a heavy cost. 

“ The working of the Sicilian Sulphur mines is certainly, at the present 
“ time, in a very primitive condition. 

“ The method of separating the mineral from the mass, is still more defective 
“ and may almost be called absurd. 

“ The proportion of sulphur in the mass is, on an average, about 25 per 
“ cent.; but the Sicilians scarcely extract more than from 10 to 14 per cent. ; 
“ for, owing to the lack of fuel in that locality, they use the sulphur itself, 
“to operate the melting:—in other words, they burn one-half the sulphur, 
“ in order to melt the other half; obtaining thereby an impure product which 
“ must be again manipulated and refined, before being delivered for eon- 
“ sumption. 

“ The means of transportation of sulphur, in the interior of Sicily, are 
“also very costlyIt is brought from the mines to the main roads by pack 
“ mules; whence it is taken by small carts to the nearest seaport, often 
“more than forty miles distant from the point of departure. 

“ Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the proprietor of a Sulphur Mine 
“ in Sicily, always realizes large profits. 

“ What then,” says Mr. Granet, “ may be reasonably expected to be the re- 
“ suits of working a mine, yielding, on an average, 77 per cent, of pure sulphur, 
“ of the best quality ;—operated by new and improved machinery ;—located in 
“ a country abounding in cheap fuel;—within one mile of the line of the New 
“ Orleans, Mobile and Texas Rail Road, and within six miles on either side 
“ of tide-water streams, navigable to the Gulf of Mexico, some fifty miles dis- 
‘tant? 

“I am of the opinion,” concludes Mr. Granet, “that the Sulphur bed in Cal¬ 
casieu is unequalled in wealth, and that the company proceeds upon certain 
“ ground, and well demonstrated data, in developing its results. And if the 


7 


“sliatt he successfully, and properly put down, and the working of the mine 
“thoroughly systematised from the beginning, the Sulphur Mine of Calcasieu 
“ will be unsurpassed in the world.” 

The mine once opened, the question whether the roof could be supported 
upon pillars of sulphur rock, or whether it would be necessary to sustain it 
by timbers, or masonry work, as in most coal mines, becomes a serious one, 
and materially affecting the cost of extracting the mineral. On a former occa¬ 
sion, I expressed the opinion, that if the lower portion of the lime rock 
stratum, which in well No. 2, was found, as we have already seen to be very 
compact and hard, would not afford a permanent roof, to cover mining 
operations below it, without bracing with timbers, then a sufficient portion 
of the upper crust of the sulphur stratum could be reserved for that purpose. 
In both the Artesian borings, the upper portion of the sulphur stratum was 
found to be in a crystalized form ; and, when not entirely pure, was mixed 
with a calcareous substance, hard and solidified, and would form a roof as 
strong and secure, as if made of the limestone rock itself. I have no reason, 
as yet, to change this opinion. Mr. Granet says, “ the rock overlying the 
“sulphur, without being very hard to break,is nevertheless sufficiently com- 
“ pact and strong to be self-supporting, and to allow the safe construction of 
“ all the galleries underneath it, which may be necessary to operate the mines, 
“ without the need of woodwork to sustain the roof.” Mr. James Munn and 
Dr. Kirkman concur in this view. 

Mr. W. Cremer, however, inclines to the opinion, that the sulphur stratum 
will be found to contain some small fissures or crevices possibly communica¬ 
ting with the great body of water, flowing through the limerock above; and, 
that it may be found more prudent, since in almost all mines, some sinking 
of the superincumbent strata takes place, where there are extensive excava¬ 
tions underneath them, that the mine be worked only at the lower portion of 
the sulphur stratum ; or, to be more safe still, that the first stratum of sul¬ 
phur be left intact, and that mining operations be confined to the second 
stratum of sulphur, lying at the depth of 650 feet below the surface. 

I must remark that Mr. Munn does not coincide with these views of Mr. 
Cremer. Mr. Munn doubts the existence of the supposed crevices or fissures, 
in the first stratum of sulphur; because the auger, in the two Artesian bor¬ 
ings put clown by him, nowhere indicated their presence. And he denies the 
existence of water at all in the sulphur, from the fact that no ascert:wnable 
increase in the flow of water through the pipes was perceptible, while boring 
through the sulphur, after the water was, to a great extent, shut off from 
above; which certainly would have been the case, hadnew fissures or crevices, 
connecting with the reservoir in the lime-rock above, opened into the bore¬ 
hole through the sulphur. The final solution of this question, however, can 
Avell be left to actual experiment; and I will only add, that, in the view of 
both of these engineers, either alternative will not interfere with a success¬ 
ful, and profitable working of the mine, beyond a slight delay, in arriving at 
the result. 

Mr. Granet, who seems to be familiar with the details of the working of 
the Sicilian mines, estimates that sulphur can be produced at the Calcasieu 
mines, at a cost less than $10 per ton. As pure unadulterated sulphur, sells 
from $40 to $60 per ton in gold, a clear nett profit will be yielded of from $110 
to $50 per ton, in gold ; unless the extraordinary yield of the mines, will di¬ 
minish the demand, and cheapen the price of the mineral, in the markets of 
the world. It is estimated that about 75,000 tons of sulphur are consumed 
annually in the United States alone, costing moro than two and a half mil¬ 
lions of dollars, every year, to supply the demand If the Calcasieu sulphur 
mine be properly laid out, and the galleries securely constructed, the yield 
of the mine, when once in full operation, will depend simply upon the quan¬ 
tity necessary to supply the market. The question will not be asked the 
Mining Engineer and Manager “ how much sulphur can you produce V but 
of the "salesman, and master of transportation, “How much can you sell, 
and deliver?” 

And here recurs again the vexata questio of the origin and formation ot the 
little mounds, or sand hillocks of the Calcasieu prairies. Excavations for 


8 


the embankments of the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas Rail Road, which 
crosses these prairies from East to West, cut through thousands of these 
hillocks, and indicate their presence, by exhibiting in perpendicular sec¬ 
tions the yellowish gray sand, in striking contrast with the dark or black 
loam, composing the surface soil of these plains. It may be conceded that the 
material composing these hillocks or elevations, is foreign to the general 
surface stratum ; and it is established by analysis that it is identical with the 
great stratum of shifting sand, lying about 165 feet lower down. It is a cu¬ 
rious fact connected with these little elevations upon the prairies, that they 
are always higher, in swampy localities, or where from want of sufficient fall 
to carry off the water, it remains upon the ground during a great portion of 
the year. In such places, they are found as high as 8 and 10 feet, above the 
ordinary level. 

I must here observe, that in a former paper read before the Academy, 
I had intimated, in reference to these hillocks or mounds, a possible common 
origin with the Five Islands of the Attakapas prairies; and expressed sur¬ 
prise that no scientific explorations had been made of the latter, to de¬ 
termine their geological structure. 

I now acknowledge my error, not being at the time made aware of the 
recent publication, by Prof. E. W. Hilgard, of an “abstract on the Geology of 
lower Louisiana and the Rock Salt deposit of Petite Anse.” This interest¬ 
ing publication establishes their identity with the deposits of the Orange 
Sand and Port Hudson series, and demonstrates that they are remnants 
of the ancient valley of the Mississippi River. 

“ At a former epoch,” says Prof. Hilgard, “ these deposits covered the entire 
“delta-plain, west of the Mississippi to an equal height, and during a 
“succeeding epoch, the Mississippi swept away these deposits in excavating 
“ its present valley. At first, it might sweep over or through the pebble 
“ ridge, but would finally turn to the direction of least resistance, leaving 
“ the ‘ Five Islands’ high and dry ” 

More recently, a brief description, but a complete geological section of 
Petit Anse Island confirming the views of Prof. Hilgard, have been published 
in that most interesting work, by Rev. E. Fontainej member of this Academy, 
entitled “ How the World was Peopled.” 

Prof. A. Featherman, of the Louisiana State University, has visited the 
prairie regions of Calcasieu, and suggests the following as the origin of the 
sandy hillocks or mounds: 


“ The Calcasieu prairies are everywhere interspersed with circular sand 
“ mounds, and their mode of formation is still a mystery to the geologist. 
“The theory has lately been advanced, that their"formation is due to & the 
“ action of gases in the inferior strata, which formed a kind of crater, throw¬ 
ing up the sand from beneath. But this explanation is by no means 
“ satisfactory. It is well known that all vent-holes for the exit of gas, as well 
“ as volcanic scoria, are generally in the form of a funnel; and as sand 'is of a 
“shifting character, its surface would not assume a convex form, where the 
“ funnel is broadest; but it would present the shape of a concave cap • the 
“ centre column of sand being drawn downward by the force of <>ravity 
“ through the narrow tubular end of the funnel, while the broad upper part 
“ of the funnel would support the sand in position in proportion to its great- 
“ er or less obliquity. But the shifting central column must necessarfly fill 
“ the space left vacant by the subsidence of the upward pressure of the ex- 
“ panding gases for we have no evidence that these elements, if they ever 
“ existed, are in active force now. I think it would be almost as reasonable to 
“suppose that these mounds were formed by whirlwinds, like snow-drifts 
“ or mountain-like waves ; and were afterwards fixed in their position by 
“ the vegetation which subsequently sprung up, which bound together as it 
“ were, the shifting sand grains, no longer exposed to the disturbing action 
“ of the winds.” ® 

Mr. A. Granet, who seems to have examined with some attention the pecu¬ 
liarities of these little hillocks of sand, and who committed the unfortunate 
mistake of locating the great shaft of wood, in one of them; has also elabora¬ 
ted a theory of his own, as to their formation. It is as follows:_ 


9 


“ The stratum of blue clay found in the Artesian wells, No. 1 and No. 2, to be 
“about 165 feet thick, and in Well No. 3, (Kirkman’s Well) to be much 
“ thicker, has undergone no 'upheaval, since its formation: for its surface 
“ is everywhere horizontal and covered, in the vicinity of the mines, with 
“ marshes. Over this whole surface, are spread a countless number of sandy 
“ islands, or circular hillocks, of a few yards diameter, which vary from 3 
“ to 8 feet in height. These islands, south of the west-fork of the Calcasieu 
“ river, are covered with a thick growth of wood, and are surrounded by 
“ meadows, or marshes, more or less covered with water. 

“ The sand of which these hillocks is composed, is of the same character 
“ with that which constitutes the great shifting sand stratum, which imme¬ 
diately underlies the clay stratum. 

“ The formation of these hillocks has been ascribed to the action of gases, 
“ in the subjacent strata, which, finding a vent through the fissures of the 
“ argillaceous stratum, has ascended to the surface, carrying up with them, 
“ and depositing there, a certain quantity of sand, coming from the stratum 
“ of shifting sand below. It is evident that the subjacent sand, must, 
“ through some cause, have been brought up to the surface, through the clay 
“ stratum which lies over it; but, in my opinion, the gases had nothing 
“ whatever to do with this change. We find just over the sulphur stratum, 
“ a great quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen ; had this gas in any way eon- 
“ tributed to the formation of these hillocks, it would evidently have left 
“ traces of its passage ; in other words, more or less sulphur would be depos- 
“ ited on these little mounds by the gas, on its escape. But no trace of 
“ sulphur, either at the surface, or in the interior of these little hillocks, has 
“ as yet been discovered. 

“ Neither can the formation be ascribed to the agency of carburetted hy¬ 
drogen, or carbonic acid; for had either of these gases contributed to this 
“operation, they would certainly have brought up, along with the sand, a 
“ certain proportion of the matters, whose decomposition gave them birth. 

“ This is precisely what is taking place now, around the two Artesian 
“ wells, upon the company’s lands. The carburetted hydrogen, and carbon- 
‘ ic acid gases, which constantly arise from the strata below containing 
“ petroleum and mineral tar ascend to the surface, carrying up with them a 
“large quantity of both of these substances. In fact, it is owing to the sur- 
“ face deposit of these substances, by the ascending gases, that the discov- 
“ ery of the petroleum was made, and the subsequent discovery ot sulphur, 
“while boring for mineral oil. Hence, I conclude,” says Mr. Granet, 
“that these hillocks, have, in no manner been formed by the action of 
“gases. The sand hillocks have been formed,” continues ;this gentlemen, 
“ by the simple pressure of the clay stratum, down upon the shifting sand 
“ stratum, a short time after the first was formed. The stratum of shifting 
“sand was first formed,—more or less impregnated with water, when the 
“ clay was deposited in its turn ;—carried there by another invasion ot water, 
“ which, at the time, completely penetrated and saturated the sand. The 
“ clay stratum, losing afterwards by degrees, the water by which it had 
“ been deposited, exercised a heavy pressure upon the layer of the sand 
“ below, saturated with water. 

“ The sand stratum was strongly compressed, whilst the water, not being 
“ compressible, was forced upwards by this pressure upon the sand, and 
“ escaped through a thousand crevices in the still soft clay stratum which 
“crevices or fissures had occurred everywhere when the clay began to dry. 
“ The water carried up with it certain quantities of sand, which, deposited 
“ upon the surface of the soil, formed the hillocks in question. 

“Furthermore, the sand, in going up, has filled a great many of these 
“crevices it found in its way and then turning oif in another direction, has 
“ formed the veins and packets of sand, of various sizes, which have been met 
“ with and crossed, at different depths in the clay, in all ot the Artesian 
“ wells as well as in the excavations of the great shaft. These sandy hillocks, 
“ have been formed therefore, by the pressure of the superincumbent clay 


2 


10 


“ stratum, down upon the shifting sand stratum, sometime after the formation 
“ of the clay stratum, at a period when it was beginning to solidify.” 

I present the views of these gentlemen, in addition to those suggested on 
this subject in a former paper, read before the Academy, without comment; 
and with the sole desire to gather information from every source as to the 
origin of these little hillocks or mounds, which are not limited to the prairies 
of Western Louisiana, but extend over the plains of Texas, although 
probably possessing some peculiar characteristics, and exceptional features in 
the vicinity of the Sulphur Mines of Calcasieu. 

The formation and extent of the petroleum deposit have been the subject 
of much inquiry, especially from the locality of the oil wells of Pennsylvania 
and Canada ; looking for full information and specific data, as to the capacity 
and probable yield of the mines in the production of mineral oils. 

The surface indications show some six or seven oil springs, which, as stated 
above, lie in nearly a straight line, bearing east and west, and extending 
over a distance of about three hundred yards. Beyond this line, neither to 
the north or south, to the east or west, have any such springs, nor any trace 
of them, yet been found. 

We are, therefore, led to believe, that the subterraneous deposit, which 
feeds these springs, cannot be very extensive; for, were it otherwise, it is 
probable that the carbonated hydrogen gas, and the other gases, emanating 
from the deposit itself, carrying up with them the bitumen and oil, which 
compose these springs, would have found other vents, giving birth to a 
greater number of similar springs, scattered over the whole surface of the 
adjacant area, and corresponding with the subterraneous extent of the 
deposit. 

Well No. One is located at the eastern extremity of the line above described. 

Well No. Two is bored at about the middle of this line. 

Well No. Three, or Kirkman’s Well, is located beyond the western terminus 
of this line, about 2550 feet distant, and a little to the west of north-west of 
the prolongation of the line of the springs. 

The engineers met with petroleum and mineral tar in Well No. One, in the 
three superior strata, to-wit: the yellow and blue clay; gray and yellow 
sand; and the blue, sandy limestone. But the quantity was inconsiderable, 
and at no time sufficient to pay for the gathering. 

In Well No. Two, these substances were also found in the same strata, and 
in somewhat large quantities, in the shifting sand stratum. But, by far the 
largest quantity of petroleum and mineral tar, were met with in the calca¬ 
reous stratum which separates the bed of shifting sand from that designated 
as white crystalline limestone; and, in fact, this locality is the true source of 
these substances. All that lias been found in the superior strata comes from 
these calcareous beds; and has been carried up through the sand and the 
clay, either by the gases, or by the simple difference of density. 

Artesian well No. Three (Kirkman’s well) has not yet reached the calcareous 
strata containing these mineral oils; it has gone down to the depth of some 
500 feet, but thus far has not met the slightest trace of them. 

“ In the midst of stratified formations,” says Mr. Granet, “ we often find 
“ various substances, which seem to be interposed between those, Avhich have 
“ been formed by general sedimentary action. Sometimes deposits are found 
“ with foreign substances, in considerable masses, and sometimes appear in 
“ veins, which seem to have tilled crevices or fissures; or, again, dispersed 
“ throughout the entire mass. These circumstances necessarily indicate local 
“ and accidental deposits, independent of the general sedimentary action, and 
“ such deposits are hence called adventitious deposits.” 

“ Bitumenous substances are often deposited in this way ; especially in 
“the calcareous strata, and it is highly probable that the petroleum and 
“ mineral tar of Calcasieu belongs to a similar formation, and is, therefore, 
“ very likely limited in extent, to that locality.” 

“ It has been contended,” continues Mr. Granet, “ that the upheaval of the 
“ superior strata has caused the rupture of the calcareous stratum in the line 
“ of the springs, and through the opening, or vent, thus created, the gases 
“have escaped, bringing up with them to the surface the petroleum and min- 


11 


“ eral tar, through the sand and clay, while, in the unbroken portions of the 
“ strata, where no movement has taken place, the mineral tar and petroleum 
“ still exist, undiscovered and undisturbed in their native bed. But, if the 
“ opening, or vent, does really exist, it would not, in strata of such thickness, 
u be limited to the line of the springs. I conclude, therefore,” says Mr. 
Granet, “that as no traces of mineral tar or petroleum can be found in the 
“ surrounding space, it is owing to the fact that the deposit does not extend 
“ beyond this line.” 

A curious fact in the history of the two Artesian wells upon the lands of 
the Calcasieu Sulphur and Mining Company is, that in both of these borings, 
the auger struck, at a depth of about 885 feet below the surface, a strong 
stream of water, located in a cre vice or fissure in the rock, about three feet 
deep, which water is highly charged with hydro-sulphuric acid gas. This 
stream of water rushes up with some force into the pipe, and rises to the height 
of about fifteen feet above the surface of the ground. 

Whether this elevation of fifteen feet above the surface is due to the press¬ 
ure of hydro-sulphuric acid gas, or other gases, absorbed by the water; or 
whether it is owing to the pressure of the water itself, coming from a higher 
source, is a question open for discussion, and will find advocates on either 
side. Mr. Granet adopts the latter view. He says: “The water-bearing 
“ stratum is undoubtedly spread over a wide area ; it extends under the super¬ 
incumbent strata to the hills, north, and northwest of Calcasieu ; and, it is 
“ from these higher points that the water, filtering through the sand, reaches 
“ the calcareous stratum, whence it ascends in these Artesian w ells, with a 
“ pressure precisely equal to the difference in height, between its source and 
“ the point of discharge.” 

“I conclude, from the above,” continues Mr. Granet, “ that the sulphur bed, 
“ although having a somewhat large extent, by no means covers a space of 
“ ground as considerable as the water-bearing stratum. Were it otherw ise, 
“ the water from the Artesian pipes would be found charged with a much 
“ larger proportion of hydro-sulphuric acid gas than they now' contain.” 

The strata through which the proposed shaft must pass, as ascertained in 
Artesian Well No. Two, are as follows : 

1st.—A stratum of solid, compact, blue clay, almost entirely free from 
water, and containing some small quantity of mineral tar and 

petroleum.165 feet. 

2d.—A stratum of shifting sand, impregnated Avith water, and also 

containing a large proportion of mineral tar and petroleum.179 ** 

3d.—A small layer of clayey marl, having but little adhesive 

quality. 24 

4th.—A stratum composed of calcareous sand, with crevices and 
fissures running in every direction, containing the true and 

original deposit of mineral tar and petroleum. 304 

5th.—A stratum of calcareous marl, of little density, containing a 

great number of rolled pebbles, of the same nature. 4 " 

6th.—A rough, hard, and compact calcareous stratum. 5 ** 

7th.—A stratum composed of a A'ery pure, white, saccliaroid, calca- 
reouss ubstance, tolerably hard, although fissured in every direc¬ 
tion, enclosing in its interior a hard, and thin stratum, seven feet 
in thickness, of the same calcareous matter described aboA r e, 
completely disintegrated, and reduced to the condition of sand.. 42 '* 


Total depth to the Sulphur stratum.428 feet. 

The progress of the shaft, about 17-£ feet in diameter, which was commenced 
in November, 1871, has not been satisfactory to the Company, nor met public 
expectation. In August, 1872, it had only reached the depth of about 98 feet, 
when the engineer in charge pronounced it to be in a dangerous condition, 
and recommended that it be abandoned. The engineer avIio succeeded to the 
work undertook to reclaim the shaft by putting down a circular wooden 
shaft around it—some 22 feet in diameter—taking out the old shaft as he 
Avent down. He succeeded to the depth of about 60 feet with his neAv shaft, 









12 


when the work was transferred, early in Jannury, 1873, to another engineer, 
who soon after reported the shaft to be out of line and useless; and stopped 
the work. It has not yet been resumed. 

The great shaft, for the extraction of the sulphur, as you now perceive, 
lias gone no deeper than about 100 feet below the surface of the ground; and 
only a little more than half-way down through the first stratum of blue clay. 
None of the iron tubes, nor tools, employed in sinking shafts on the plan of 
Mr. Chaudron, and imported from Europe by the Company, have yet been 
called into use. 

The causes for this condition of things, and the remedy sought, by way of 
relief, belong more properly to the business management of the Company, 
and any discussion of these matters would be out of place here. 

It is sufficient to remark that the gravest responsibilities rest upon those 
who have the control of the development of this great enterprise. The Cal¬ 
casieu Sulphur Mine has been pronounced by an engineer, familiar with the 
mines of Sicily—whence, from time immemorial commerce has received its 
chief supply of the mineral—to be a deposit of unusual purity ; in immense, 
if not inexhaustible, quantities; and with unequalled facilities for cheap 
transportation to market;—in tine, a sulphur mine, which, if successfully 
reached by a shaft, will be without a rival in the world. The advantages, 
which would result from a prosperous issue of this venture, to this city, the 
State, and our common country, are simply, at present, beyond calculation. 

The gradual, but steady increase in the market value of sulphur, from the 
year 1835 to the present time, indicates that a new source of supply is 
demanded by the interests of commerce. Will the demand be met from 
Calcasieu? 

It has been intimated that an excessive supply of this mineral—such as the 
Calcasieu Sulphur Mines are capable of producing—would so much reduce 
the price as to render the profits of working the mine merely nominal. But, 
says Mr. Simonin, in his work on underground life, “ Wonderful as has been 
“ the increase in the production of gold and silver, from the mines of Califor- 
“ nia and Australia,—say as much in 18 years after 1848, as for a period of 350 
“ years before that date, yet there lias been no material shifting in the value 
“ of these metals.” Why should not the same be true of sulphur; and that, 
if in 18 years after 1873 more sulphur be produced than in 350 years preceed- 
ing that date; yet, from the manufacture of sulphuric acid, exclusively from 
sulphur itself, and the abandonment of the more expensive process of extract¬ 
ing it from pyrites; and from the constantly growing use of this acid in the 
arts and manufactures, that the price and value will remain unchanged? 
“Sulphur in mass,” says the writer, “is everywhere—if not the result—ever 
“ the accompaniment of volcanic action.” Its origin is in the unexplored 
depths and recesses of our earth. “ And as the iron of the meteorolite is 
“ said to be the mineral which our brother worlds send us by way of sample, 

“ to initiate geologists in the great phenomena going on in the remote regions 
“of space ;” so sulphur, in its golden streams, sent forth from the interior of 
our globe, in its erratic flow from the volcanic crater, may come to tell us of 
the hidden mystery of the great laboratory of Nature, in the, as yet, unknown 
depths of the planet upon which we dwell. “ Rich metallic ores, and most of 
“ the gems and precious stones are produced from aqueous solutions and hot 
“ vapors, and are met with in veins or simple fissures, and even in cavities in 
“ eruptive rocks. Time, repose, and the conditions being favorable, spark- 
“ ling crystallizations are the result, and the brilliant gem—the true tears of 
“ nature—slowly appears, forming itself out of the surrounding rock, in 
“ which it originated. Volcanic lavas have also given birth to some gems ; 

“ different, it is true, in composition and brilliancy to tlieir elders”; but of 
more value than gold, or silver, or precious stones, in this, that they supply 
the manufactory; foster the arts and sciences; advance agriculture; encour¬ 
age labor and industry; maintain government, and secure the peace of the 
world. 


























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